Macworld San Francisco 2006. The Countdown Begins.

There’s probably never been a more anticipated Macworld Expo. What’s next from Apple? What’s a sure bet? What’s possible? What’s probable? What do you want to see? What do you expect to see?

Hmmm. I see more questions than answers. That’s Macworld, and this year won’t be any different. The range of “expectations” is astounding and the stakes are higher than ever.

Why such high stakes? High expecations. Apple’s stock is trading at near record levels following the last two years of iPod success.

To keep the stock humming and the cash registers ca-chinging, Apple needs another hit. Or two. As high as expectations may be, so are the opportunities for Apple.

Let’s review what’s going on with our favorite Cupertino Mac maker. There’s hardware and software. There’s old products and there’s new products.

On the hardware side, Apple is moving away from IBM and Freescale PowerPC chips toward chips from giant Intel. That requires Mac OS X to be fully ready to run on Intel-based hardware.

It also requires Mac applications to be able to run on new Mac hardware. Wait. Am I talking hardware or software? See the problem. You don’t get one without the other.

New Mac hardware with Intel chips inside requires Mac OS X for Intel. And Mac applications will need to run on the new hardware. All those pieces are not in place. Yet.

Expectations are high that Apple will introduce at least one new Intel-based Mac (or a product not called a Mac) at Macworld, possibly a new iBook and/or a new Mac mini.

It’s also probable that either one could sell alongside the current iBook and Mac mini lineup so users could choose—choose safety and familiarity with the current line, or take your chance with the new Intel Inside Macs.

That gives Apple time to work out the kinks in the new hardware.

Speaking of hardware, there’s news floating around that the first iBooks (or Mac mini) may have more Intel Inside that previously thought. Apple’s technical resources are stretched thin with all the activity going on, so it appears as if Intel may design the first few motherboards of Intel-based Macs.

New Macs may not be the only hardware up Steve’s mock turtleneck sleeve when he steps on stage next week. Many expect an Apple “media center” device, perhaps using a Mac mini (which I’m convinced is too expensive to act as a digital recording device for TV) or another new box.

A Mac-based digital recording device ala TiVo is expected to round out Apple’s entry into the living room.

Tera’s still expecting a wireless tablet Mac, perhaps an “iPad” that’s a combo of iPod and Mac OS X inside. But she’s a dreamer.

So are those expecting an iPod phone from Apple. Even Motorola wants a slice of the music pie and the next ROKR phone won’t have iTunes. No more Moto.

Speaking of software, the safe bets are updates to Apple’s iLife Suite: iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, and Garageband. I’m thinking more “tweaks” than massive feature additions. There’s still nothing like that on Windows and Apple’s resources must be stretched thin in software, too.

There’s also a strong expectation of updates to iWork; the slow selling application gets good reviews but is incomplete as a low-end Microsoft Office killer (or, as a replacement for AppleWorks, still better than Microsoft Works). My bet is on a spreadsheet component for iWork.

A growing camp of Mac users and watchers says Apple’s Front Row will get a facelift, more features, and become a stand alone product that makes your Mac a true digital hub with a remote control (similar to the new iMac G5).

That sounds nice but really needs that digital video recording device to make Apple a player in the living room.

Many expect Steve’s keynote to introduce Mac OS X for Intel and to set a schedule. He doesn’t have to. It’s not important. Yet. I look for that at the Developer’s Conference late this spring.

One more thing. Think Secret says Apple will introduce a new movie download service, either incorporated into iTunes Music Store (that just sounds odd when you’re downloading music videos, TV shows, and movies), or a totally new service.

My bet is on the latter, not the former. To up the ante, Apple needs to move beyond iTunes, iPod, and iTMS. “Vingle” anyone?

OK, who’s going to Macworld this year? Of the Mac360 staff, the only attendee promises to be me. I’ll arrive early the day of the keynote, stick around for Steve Madness, hit the floor to check on new products, and catch a plane back home that evening.

I hope to see you there, but I’m a one day event, so look for a tall blonde who looks just like the one on the Mac360 home page. That would be me.

Tera Patricks
Bambi’s easy to spot at such events. Just follow the trail of Little Debbie and Hostess wrappers on the Expo floor.

Alexis Kayhill
This is the most dizzying Macworld ever. Too much is going on to keep track of it all. Software. Hardware. One more thing. I’m tired.

Jack D. Miller
iLife updates are a sure thing. Introducing an Intel-based Mac of some sort looks like a no-brainer. Same with “one more thing” though I won’t guess.